The Democratic Party has put itself solidly and strongly behind the right to organize, which gratified the 800 or more union delegates to its National Convention that began Sunday in Boston.
The unequivocal platform language also tracks statements by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., the presidential nominee, and his running mate, Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C.
But the right to organize isn't the sole item on the unionists' agenda. At forums throughout the convention, they will discuss a wide range of pro-worker issues, including health care, industrial policy, and fair trade.
The platform, written by a panel chaired by pro-labor Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., strongly supports labor rights.
"We will ensure that the right to organize a union exists in the real world, not just on paper, because that's how we create more jobs that can support families," it declares.
"That means reforming our labor laws to protect the rights of workers, including public employees, to bargain contracts and organize on a level playing field without interference. It also means barring the permanent replacement of legal strikers.
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"We will reverse this administration's cuts in wages for working people by restoring overtime protections for hard-working Americans. We will strengthen health and safety protections as well," it adds in a section entitled "Standing Up For Workers."
In line with Kerry's promises, the 41-page platform pledges he will sign no trade treaties without enforceable worker rights.
The platform's "creating good jobs" section says President George W. Bush "values wealth over hard work, lavishes special treatment upon a fortunate few at the expense of most business and working people, and defends policies that weaken America's competitive position and destroy American jobs."
"The administration uses globalization as an excuse not to fight for American jobs," it adds.
The platform pledges Kerry and his running mate, Edwards, to ending tax breaks for U.S. firms that create jobs overseas, "while offering tax cuts for companies that produce goods and keep jobs here at home."
And it supports "a concerted effort to revitalize American manufacturing," as pushed by the AFL-CIO Industrial Unions Council. Most of that would come through the tax breaks, the platform says. Some would come through cuts in health care costs. Platform writers included AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka, an industrial policy advocate.
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On another key issue, the platform pledges the two senators will "include enforceable, internationally recognized labor and environmental standards in trade agreements." It also puts those standards on an equal footing with "commercial concerns."
"We will aggressively enforce our trade agreements with a real plan that includes a complete review of all existing agreements, immediate investigation into China's workers' rights abuses, (and) increased funding for efforts to protect workers' rights and stop child labor abuse," it says.
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney is scheduled to address the Democratic convention Thursday, just before Kerry's speech.
Mark Gruenberg writes for Press Associates, Inc., news service. Used by permission.
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The Democratic Party has put itself solidly and strongly behind the right to organize, which gratified the 800 or more union delegates to its National Convention that began Sunday in Boston.
The unequivocal platform language also tracks statements by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., the presidential nominee, and his running mate, Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C.
But the right to organize isn’t the sole item on the unionists’ agenda. At forums throughout the convention, they will discuss a wide range of pro-worker issues, including health care, industrial policy, and fair trade.
The platform, written by a panel chaired by pro-labor Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., strongly supports labor rights.
“We will ensure that the right to organize a union exists in the real world, not just on paper, because that’s how we create more jobs that can support families,” it declares.
“That means reforming our labor laws to protect the rights of workers, including public employees, to bargain contracts and organize on a level playing field without interference. It also means barring the permanent replacement of legal strikers.
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“We will reverse this administration’s cuts in wages for working people by restoring overtime protections for hard-working Americans. We will strengthen health and safety protections as well,” it adds in a section entitled “Standing Up For Workers.”
In line with Kerry’s promises, the 41-page platform pledges he will sign no trade treaties without enforceable worker rights.
The platform’s “creating good jobs” section says President George W. Bush “values wealth over hard work, lavishes special treatment upon a fortunate few at the expense of most business and working people, and defends policies that weaken America’s competitive position and destroy American jobs.”
“The administration uses globalization as an excuse not to fight for American jobs,” it adds.
The platform pledges Kerry and his running mate, Edwards, to ending tax breaks for U.S. firms that create jobs overseas, “while offering tax cuts for companies that produce goods and keep jobs here at home.”
And it supports “a concerted effort to revitalize American manufacturing,” as pushed by the AFL-CIO Industrial Unions Council. Most of that would come through the tax breaks, the platform says. Some would come through cuts in health care costs. Platform writers included AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka, an industrial policy advocate.
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On another key issue, the platform pledges the two senators will “include enforceable, internationally recognized labor and environmental standards in trade agreements.” It also puts those standards on an equal footing with “commercial concerns.”
“We will aggressively enforce our trade agreements with a real plan that includes a complete review of all existing agreements, immediate investigation into China’s workers’ rights abuses, (and) increased funding for efforts to protect workers’ rights and stop child labor abuse,” it says.
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney is scheduled to address the Democratic convention Thursday, just before Kerry’s speech.
Mark Gruenberg writes for Press Associates, Inc., news service. Used by permission.